Interchangeable Cap-Toe Fashion-Covering-and-Adornment Shoe System

ABSTRACT

An improved interchangeable fashion-covering and adornment system that provides the user a way to quickly and easily modify the look of their shoes to match their style of dress by using a hidden magnet solution.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ladies accessories, more particularly in relation to ladies' footwear with interchangeable toe portion coverings.

Description of Prior Art

In the field of ladies' footwear, wearers differ in individual tastes and financial resources. Purchasing many different pairs of shoes to match different outfits can be prohibitively expensive for many women. Therefore, there exists a need for the ability to easily customize their own footwear according to their personal preferences. Individuals have a wide range of preferences in colors and styles to match various styles of attire, but limited monetary budgets and storage space.

Due to these factors, it is desirable for a person to choose a base shoe of their desired color and make it more versatile by changing a portion of it to any color or style of their choice to match their various styles of dress, as well as the convenience for traveling, where only a limited number of shoe pairs can be practically carried.

Numerous innovations for footwear with interchangeable components have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereafter contrasted.

U.S. Pat. No. 2008/0229615A1 to Yu et al. discloses a shoe with an interchangeable covering. This patent differs from the present invention because it requires sewing, gluing, and taping to function.

U.S. Pat. No. 005496612A to Ransbottom et al. discloses a device that gives the appearance of a shoe having interchangeable adornments. This patent differs from the present invention because it is an elastic band that is wrapped around the foot which holds an interchangeable ornament.

U.S. Pat. No. 20030177664A1 to Monassebian et al. discloses a shoe architecture with interchangeable portions. This patent differs from the present invention because it uses hook and loops fasteners to attach shoe uppers to the sole of the shoe.

U.S. Pat. No. US-007412785B1 to Navasky et al. discloses a shoe with an interchangeable vamp. This patent differs from the present invention because it uses an insert into a retainer to modify the top portion of the shoe.

U.S. Pat. No. 008015731B2 to Jackson et al. discloses an interchangeable covering for high heels. This patent differs from the present invention because it covers the entire front portion of the shoe, including the sole.

U.S. Pat. No. 008413351B1 to Watters et al. discloses an interchangeable covering for shoes. This patent differs from the present invention because it is a fabric skin that covers the entire shoe and seals at the back.

Numerous innovations for footwear with interchangeable components have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention heretofore described.

Name of Patentee/ Pages, Columns, Lines, Applicant of Where Relevant Document Number Publication Date Cited Document Figures Appear U.S. Pat. No. 005,496,612A Mar. 5, 1996 Jayne M. Ransbottom Page 3 US-20030177664A1 Sep. 25, 2003 Homa Monassebian Page 7 U.S. Pat. No. 007,412,785B1 Aug. 19, 2008 Edward Navasky Page 12 US-20080229615A1 Sep. 25, 2008 Jessie Yu Page 7 U.S. Pat. No. 008,015,731B2 Sep. 13, 2011 Bettye Jackson Page 4 U.S. Pat. No. 008,413,351B1 Apr. 9, 2013 Megan W. Watters, Page 8 Johnathan C. Prewitt, Aaron Fain, Valerie Acquisto

SUMMARY

This innovation is an improved interchangeable fashion-covering and adornment system that provides the user a way to quickly and easily modify the look of their shoes to match their style of dress by using a hidden magnet solution. The fashion-coverings will modify the look of the toe-cap area of the shoe. These cap-toe fashion-coverings will come in a variety of colors and materials allowing the wearer to match their shoes to a variety of outfits and occasions. In addition to the toe coverings, adornments are also able to be added to the top of the shoe, further increasing customization. This innovation aims to be both budget and space conscious making it ideal for travelers or those that are financially conscious.

Advantages

Thus several advantages of one or more aspects are that these shoes with interchangeable fashion-coverings and adornments are easier to use, the toe portion coverings more fluidly and simply attach to the shoe, are more practical in use, design, and real world application, has a reduced amount of components and failure points, has connecting components completely hidden within the toe portion and toe portion fashion-coverings, has a locking system which does not alter the external appearance of the shoe, and can work with a variety of shoe types for men, women, and children of all ages. These and other advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS Figures

I have included seven drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my interchangeable shoe system without the toe portion covering 30 attached.

FIG. 2 is an inside view of a toe portion covering 30.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a toe portion covering 30.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of my interchangeable shoe system with the toe portion covering 30 attached.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of my interchangeable shoe system with the toe portion covering 30 and attachable adornment 52 connected.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an attachable adornment 52 example.

FIG. 7 is a view from underneath of an attachable adornment 52 example.

DRAWINGS Reference Numerals

-   10—bare front toe portion of shoe -   12—vamp -   14—slight elevation change between 10 and 12 -   16—strong, thin, primary magnet on inside of shoe -   18—outer sole -   20—indentation or groove -   30—toe portion covering -   32—ferromagnetic layer -   33—top ridge of the toe portion covering -   34—inner material of the toe portion covering -   36—flexible wings of the toe portion covering -   50—strong, thin, auxiliary magnet or ferromagnetic layer -   52—attachable adornment example of a decorative flower

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention illustrating the shoe with the interchangeable toe portion covering removed and where the primary magnet will be located within the front toe portion.

FIG. 2 shows the inside view of the toe portion covering in FIG. 3, consisting, in this embodiment, of the inner material of the toe portion covering, and its inner components which are part of the locking mechanism.

FIG. 3 shows a toe portion covering as a whole, which may be constructed from a material comprising leather, fabric/textiles, metal, plastic, suede, or combination thereof.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the invention with the interchangeable toe portion covering attached.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of my interchangeable shoe system with the toe portion covering and attachable adornment example attached.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an attachable adornment example, demonstrating the auxiliary magnet, part of the locking mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a view from underneath of an attachable adornment example of a decorative flower. Underneath the inside of an attachable adornment part of the locking mechanism, the auxiliary magnet, is revealed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment

Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.

The present invention is directed to ladies shoes with interchangeable toe covering portions and adornments. The essential part of the invention is interchangeable portions and their securing areas, which comprise of magnets and ferromagnetic layers.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the present invention in a ballet flat shoe design embodiment with the toe portion covering 30 removed. A primary magnet 16 of high quality and attraction strength is sewn into the inside of the bare front toe portion 10—above the toes, near the top ridge of where the toe portion covering 30 ends and just below the vamp 12 of the shoe. This primary magnet 16 provides the locking mechanism between the shoe and the cap-toe fashion-covering 30. There is an indentation or groove 20 where the outer sole 18 and bare front toe portion of the shoe 10 connect. In this indentation or groove 20 is where the flexible wings of the toe portion covering 36 will grip.

FIG. 2 shows the inside view of the interchangeable toe portion covering in FIG. 3, consisting, in this embodiment, of the inner material of the toe portion covering 34, a thin and pliable ferromagnetic layer 32, and the outer toe portion covering 30. This ferromagnetic layer 32 is shown for demonstration purposes, but is able to be hidden within the inside of the toe portion covering 30,

FIG. 3 shows an interchangeable toe portion covering as a whole, which may be constructed from a material comprising leather, fabric/textiles, metal, plastic, suede, or combination thereof.

FIG. 4 shows a shoe with the interchangeable cap-toe fashion-covering-and-adornment shoe system with a toe portion covering 30 attached.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of my interchangeable shoe system with the toe portion covering 30 and attachable adornment 52 example attached. This demonstrates the large amount of possible variations of styles that can be achieved with this interchangeable system.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an attachable adornment 52 example. Underneath and inside of an attachable adornment 52 is a strong, thin, auxiliary magnet 50.

FIG. 7 is a view from underneath of an attachable adornment 52 example of a decorative flower. Underneath the inside of an attachable adornment 52 is a strong, thin, auxiliary magnet 50; this auxiliary magnet can be hidden within the ornament.

Operation:

The design of my interchangeable cap-toe fashion-covering-and-adornment shoe system allows the wearer to readily change or swap their current toe portion covering 30 with one of a different design. If a toe portion covering 30 is not currently attached to the shoe, the user simply holds the shoe in one hand and while holding the toe portion covering 30, in the other hand, slides the toe portion covering 30 over top of the bare front toe portion of the shoe 10. This aligns the ferromagnetic layer 32 with the strong, thin, primary magnet 16 on the inside of the shoe, forming a strong bond between the two. The flexible wings of the toe portion covering 36 also grip into the indentation or groove 20. The combination of the strong magnetic attraction of the primary magnet 16 with the ferromagnetic layer 32 and the flexible wings of the toe portion covering 36 gripping into the indentation or groove 20 will prevent the toe portion covering 30 from falling off when the shoe is being worn by the user. The flexible wings of the toe portion covering 36 and ferromagnetic layer 32 will allow the toe portion covering 30 to be modifiable in size; such a feature will be very useful to parents whose children's feet are growing, allowing the toe portion coverings 30 of a specific size to be used in a range from one above to one below of relative shoe size. For example, a size three toe portion covering 30 would be able to attached to a size two or size four shoe.

If a toe portion covering 30 is already in place on the shoe and the user wants to remove it, the user simply holds the shoe in one hand and places their fingernail or fingertip, of their opposite hand, under the top ridge 33 of the toe portion covering 30 and pulls away from the shoe with a reasonable amount of force; this will release the magnetic attraction between the primary magnet 16 and the ferromagnetic layer 32, allowing the toe portion covering 30 to be slid off the shoe.

A user who wants to attach an attachable adornment 52 to a shoe with a toe portion covering 30 already in place, such as the example in FIG. 4, must simply take the attachable adornment 52 and place it near the top ridge 33 of the toe portion covering 30; this will create a magnetic attraction between the auxiliary magnet 50, inside of the attachable adornment 52, with the strong, primary magnet 16, inside the shoe, or ferromagnetic layer 32, inside the toe portion covering 30. The final result of which can be seen in FIG. 5. Attachable adornments 52 may also be used with shoes that have my interchangeable adornment shoe system but do not necessarily have interchangeable toe portion coverings 30 attached. To remove an attachable adornment 52 the user simply grasps it firmly and pulls with a modest amount of force, perpendicular to the attachment surface, and it will detach, leaving the shoe unmarred and the inner locking mechanism, created by the strong, thin, primary magnet 16, hidden.

Alternative Embodiments

-   -   Different materials, sizes, and interconnections can be used for         all components.     -   In lieu of magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, clips,         buttons, hook-and-eye fasteners, or slot-slide fasteners can be         used to attach interchangeable toe portion coverings,         fashion-coverings, or attachable adornments to shoes.     -   The magnet or other fastening device can be spaced closer to the         sides, front, or bottom portion of the shoe.     -   The interchangeable cap-toe fashion-covering-and-adornment shoe         system is not limited to any particular type of shoe, and may be         used with a base shoe, which may resemble any of the following,         but is not limited to: heels, pumps, flats, peep-toes, clogs,         boots, casual shoes, athletic shoes, dancing shoes, dress shoes,         and men's, women's, and children's shoes.     -   The toe portion, fashion-coverings do not specifically need to         be cap-toe in design.     -   The toe portion covering need not grip into grooves; such a         fashion-covering could go over the entire toe end of the shoe         and have its own sole portion attached as well.     -   The design of the attachable adornment is not limited to the         example of the flower adornment. The attachable adornment may be         any design and made of any material.

CONCLUSION

Thus the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the interchangeable cap-toe fashion-covering and adornment shoe system provides an easier, more convenient, and elegant solution that can be used by persons of almost any age.

While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one, or several embodiments, thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, other styles of shoes such as, but not limited to, heels, pumps, peep-toes, boots, athletic shoes, dancing shoes, dress shoes, and men's, women's, and children's shoes using hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, clips, buttons, hook-and-eye fasteners, or slot-slide fasteners.

Accordingly the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

While different embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to the embodiments could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Therefore, any combination of the components shown in FIGS. 1-7 can be mixed and matched to provide a show using the interchangeable cap-toe fashion-covering and adornment shoe system. Accordingly, the particular arrangements are illustrative only and are not limiting as to the scope of the invention that is to be given the full breadth of any and all equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe comprising: a sole; a vamp having a toe portion; a primary magnet secured to the toe portion; and a plurality of interchangeable toe portion coverings, each toe portion covering incorporating a ferromagnetic layer that adheres to the magnet.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the toe portion covering has a shape corresponding to the shape of the toe portion of the shoe and only covering the front toe portion of the shoe.
 3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the toe portion has grooves or indentations where the toe portion covering can slide into to provide a seamless visual contour.
 4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein a magnetic attraction is formed between the toe portion covering and the primary magnet secured to the toe portion to ensure that the toe covering stays secure and in place.
 5. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the magnetic attraction formed between the toe portion covering and the primary magnet secured to the toe portion is able to be released by reasonable force without marring the toe portion covering or vamp.
 6. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the toe portion covering is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of leather, suede, plastic, textile, and fabric.
 7. The shoe of claim 1, which further comprises at least one adornment attachable to an upper surface of at least one toe portion covering.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein said at least one adornment incorporates an auxiliary magnet, thereby enabling the adornment to be secured to its associated toe portion covering by a magnetic attraction between the auxiliary magnet and the ferromagnetic layer of the toe portion covering. 